New downtown Red Earth Museum debuting grand opening exhibit today
Caddo potter Jereldine Redcorn, who lives in Norman, shows some of her pots. Redcorn is among the more than 30 American Indian artist who will have art in the “Grand Opening Exhibit” at the new Red Earth Museum & Gallery. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman Archives)
A “Grand Opening Exhibit” art show and sale featuring more than 30 American Indian artists opens the new Red Earth Museum & Gallery in downtown Oklahoma City today.
The museum is now at 6 Santa Fe Plaza, immediately south of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel and within walking distance of the Cox Convention Center and every major hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. The museum formerly was located inside Science Museum Oklahoma.
Officials at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce report the downtown Oklahoma City area draws an estimated 8 million tourists each year, according to a news release. Chamber statistics also indicate a workforce of nearly 55,000 people are employed at the more than 1,300 businesses in the downtown business district.
“Our new location will provide an outstanding venue for Oklahoma’s talented Native American artists to sell their works to the public,” said Jonna Kauger Kirschner, president of the Red Earth board of directors, in the release.
“Every tribal nation has its own unique culture and heritage, and Oklahoma is home to over 39 federally-recognized tribes who were relocated to the state from all corners of the nation. People who visit our new downtown facility will find the artwork is an exciting mix of diverse styles representing many tribal cultures.”
The invitation art show and sale features a variety of American Indian art for sale to the public. The show includes paintings, pottery, basketry, jewelry, textiles, beadwork and cultural items.
Oklahoma artists including Matthew Bearden, Nathan Hart, Brent Learned, Merlin Little Thunder, Les Berryhill, Harvey Pratt, Mary Aitson, Adeline Du Boise, Jerry Haney, Sharron Ahtone Harjo, Iris Eby, Susan Howard and Jereldine Redcorn have contributed works to the exhibit.
Other participating artists include Tahnee Marie Ahtoneharjo, Randy Frazier, Patta LT, Dorothy Sullivan, Daniel Worcester, Fernando Padilla, Jim Van Deman, Lisa Rutherford, Margaret Roach Wheeler, Cathy Moomaw, Connie Yellowman and Gordon Yellowman. The gallery also features American Indian-related items such as children’s books, blankets and Red Earth memorabilia.
For more than 30 years, the nonprofit Red Earth Inc. has been dedicated to its mission to promote the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through education, a premier festival, museum and fine art markets.
The Red Earth Museum hosts a diverse and changing schedule of traveling exhibitions and is custodian of a permanent collection of more than 1,400 items of fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles and beadwork.
For more information, go to www.redearth.org or call 427-5228.
-BAM
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I was looking at a painting of RedBird I have on my wall.looking for inspiration,iv had this print for many years. And today was the first time iv taken geart notice of its beaty and the reason fo its been.its story of the land peoples ,dreams, and love of our mother earth. May your diisplay of art inspire all to tell their storie for our children . Yaho. My sister and brtohers…